Dandruff manifests itself in the form of small white fragments that accumulate in the hair and on the clothes creating embarrassment. Fortunately, it is generally possible to get rid of it by using a specific shampoo. If you'd rather avoid the chemicals often found in commercial remedies, there are natural alternatives. For example, you can wash your hair with tea tree oil diluted in water or massage the aloe vera gel into your scalp. You should also adopt healthier daily habits that benefit the skin. If the dandruff is severe or if the remedies suggested in the article are not effective, ask your doctor for help.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Anti-dandruff treatments
Step 1. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to the shampoo to hydrate the scalp and fight fungus
Dandruff could be caused by the uncontrolled proliferation of fungi or bacteria on the scalp. Thanks to its antimicrobial and antifungal properties, tea tree oil can help you defeat it naturally. Pour 5-10 drops of oil into the shampoo bottle and wash your hair as you usually do (remember to shake the bottle before each use). Keep using this dandruff shampoo until the problem is resolved.
- You can purchase a shampoo enriched with tea tree oil at the drugstore. The recommended concentration to combat dandruff is 5%.
- Tea tree oil is toxic if ingested, so keep it away from your mouth.
- If the oil accidentally gets in your eyes, rinse them immediately with warm water and call your doctor if they get red or irritated.
Safety Precautions:
tea tree oil should not be applied directly to the scalp; it must first be diluted, otherwise it can cause irritation and itching. If you notice any abnormal reactions after using tea tree oil, such as a rash, itching or burning, stop the treatment immediately.
Step 2. Use lemongrass oil if your scalp is inflamed
Like tea tree oil, it is a natural antimicrobial and is indicated to treat certain types of dandruff and reduce inflammation of the scalp. You can buy a shampoo that contains citronella oil in a concentration of 10% or you can add a few drops to the bottle of the shampoo or conditioner you use regularly.
- Use lemongrass oil regularly for 2-3 weeks to get the best possible result.
- Lemongrass oil should not be applied directly to the scalp, it must first be diluted, otherwise it can irritate the skin.
Step 3. Massage some aloe vera gel on the scalp for relief
To get rid of dandruff, massage a generous amount of aloe vera gel directly into your scalp, then leave it on for 30-60 minutes. At the end of the exposure time, wash your hair with a mild shampoo and then rinse it thoroughly. Reapply the aloe vera gel 2-3 times a week until the dandruff is gone.
- Aloe vera gel is rich in amino acids, antioxidants and is a great natural moisturizer and anti-inflammatory that helps damaged or irritated skin heal faster. To these important properties are added those antimicrobial and antifungal. All these factors make aloe vera gel an excellent all-natural anti-dandruff treatment.
- You can buy aloe vera gel at pharmacies, herbalists and well-stocked supermarkets or you can extract it directly from the leaves if you have an aloe vera plant in your home or garden.
- For some people, aloe vera gel can be irritating, so apply a small amount to the inside of the wrist and wait to see if the skin reacts abnormally before using it on the scalp. The ideal is to wait 24 hours even if the symptoms of an allergic reaction are likely to occur sooner.
- If you have a rash, itching, irritation or increased sensitivity to sunlight (for example if you burn more easily than normal), stop using aloe vera gel immediately.
Step 4. Use coconut oil to moisturize your scalp and reduce inflammation
Scientists have not yet been able to prove that coconut oil is effective in fighting dandruff, however, evidence indicates that it is useful for treating skin problems, such as atopic dermatitis. Rub two tablespoons of coconut oil directly into your scalp, let it sit for 5-10 minutes and then rinse.
- To increase the effectiveness of the treatment, you can wear a shower cap and leave the oil on overnight. The next morning, rinse your scalp and hair with warm water.
- You may need to rub the oil between your fingers together with a few drops of water to dissolve it and be able to distribute it more easily on the skin.
- Alternatively, for convenience, you can purchase a shampoo enriched with coconut oil.
- If you want to apply coconut oil directly to your scalp, buy it pure at a herbalist's shop or a store that specializes in food and natural products. Sometimes it can also be found in the most well-stocked supermarkets.
Step 5. Use baking soda to thoroughly cleanse your scalp and exfoliate it gently
In addition to effectively removing the dandruff present on the hair, it is very useful for fighting the fungus that may have caused it. To remove those small white bits from your scalp and hair, make a paste by mixing 4 tablespoons of baking soda with 180ml of water. Apply the mixture to your skin and let it sit for 1 to 3 minutes before rinsing.
- If you want, you can enhance the anti-dandruff treatment by adding a few drops of tea tree oil to the mixture of water and baking soda.
- Don't use baking soda too often as it can dry out your hair and irritate your scalp. Repeat the treatment at most once a week and choose another method if you find that your hair looks dry and dull.
- You can counteract the dehydrating effect of baking soda by using a conditioner that contains coconut or argan oil at the end of the treatment.
Step 6. Crush an aspirin and add it to your shampoo to reap the benefits of salicylic acid
It is a natural substance that is extracted from the white willow bark. It is often present in anti-dandruff treatments as it has the ability to reduce inflammation and excess sebum. Crush an aspirin tablet or two and mix them with a tablespoon of shampoo next time you wash your hair. Leave the shampoo on for 2-3 minutes and then rinse.
- Alternatively, you can look for an anti-dandruff shampoo that contains salicylic acid.
- Stop using salicylic acid if your scalp becomes irritated, red, or if you have other symptoms that are attributable to an allergic reaction, such as burning, swelling, or itching.
- Try using salicylic acid twice a week for a month or until the dandruff improves.
Method 2 of 3: Improve Your Diet and Lifestyle
Step 1. Get more omega-3 fatty acids
They are a category of essential fatty acids that are good for the health of the whole body, including the skin and hair. To get rid of dandruff, consume more of the omega-3 rich ingredients. Good examples are fatty fish, such as tuna, mackerel and salmon, nuts, seeds and their oils.
- Alternatively, you can talk to your doctor or pharmacist and get a recommendation for an omega-3 fatty acid supplement.
- The recommended dose of omega-3 fatty acids is 1.1 to 1.6 g per day.
Step 2. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables to reduce the risk of skin problems
Studies show that people who eat a lot of fruit and vegetables every day are less likely to develop a skin condition related to dandruff, such as seborrheic dermatitis. Try incorporating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables into your daily diet to provide your body with all the minerals, vitamins and nutrients it needs.
- Recommended vegetables include leafy ones, cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli and cauliflower), and colorful ones (like carrots, peppers, and radishes). The suggested vegetable list also includes beans, peas, and purple-fleshed sweet potatoes.
- You can provide your body with a wide variety of minerals and vitamins by eating different fruits such as apples, bananas, grapes, melons, citrus fruits and berries.
- Experts recommend eating 5 servings of vegetables and 4 servings of fruit every day. Look for a table online that will help you calculate portions correctly.
Step 3. Increase your consumption of biotin-rich foods for healthier skin and hair
Biotin is an essential B vitamin that promotes the health of nails, skin and hair. Talk to your doctor for a recommendation for a biotin supplement, or enrich your diet with the following foods to get more every day:
- Egg yolks;
- Dried fruit;
- Salmon;
- Liver;
- Nutritional yeast (you can use it in place of butter or cheese after cooking, or add it to creamy soups or scrambled eggs).
Step 4. Promote the growth of healthy new cells with zinc
See your doctor to find out if you can take this important mineral that can strengthen the immune system. Zinc also promotes faster healing and is indicated to prevent diseases that can affect the skin, hair and scalp. Ask your doctor for advice on whether a zinc supplement might be helpful for you.
You can also get more zinc through your diet, for example by eating red meat, legumes (such as chickpeas and lentils), nuts, seeds, eggs, dairy products, whole grains, and potatoes
Did you know that?
Zinc also benefits by applying it topically, so it is a common ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoos.
Step 5. Relieve stress for the good of the whole body
The relationship between stress and dandruff is still unclear, but the results of some studies show that very anxious and stressed people are more likely to develop a skin condition, for example atopic dermatitis. If you have dandruff, stress can make it worse, so try to relieve it in the following ways:
- Practice relaxing activities, such as yoga or meditating
- Enjoy yourself in the company of friends and family;
- Dedicate yourself to your hobbies, passions and creative activities that you enjoy;
- Listen to relaxing music;
- Improve the quality of your sleep.
Method 3 of 3: Ask the Doctor for Help
Step 1. Tell your doctor if you think dandruff is due to a scalp infection
Dandruff can generally be treated independently at home without going to the doctor, except in cases where it is associated with a more serious problem. If you don't have any other symptoms besides dandruff, you can rest easy. If the skin on your scalp is swollen, sore, or red, you should make an appointment with your doctor.
Similar symptoms may indicate that the skin is affected by another condition, for example seborrheic dermatitis
Step 2. Go to the doctor even if the dandruff is severe or if the situation does not improve using the home remedies proposed
If dandruff is a serious problem or if the remedies listed are not giving visible results, it may be time to ask your doctor for help. It is also better to resort to its intervention in case of intense itching or pain associated with dandruff. Your doctor will be able to identify the cause of the problem and prescribe appropriate treatment for you.
- For example, if your dandruff is due to inflammation of the scalp, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroid or immunosuppressive medication.
- If, on the other hand, your dandruff is caused by a fungus, your doctor may recommend that you use a shampoo or antifungal medication.
Suggestion:
as a general rule it is best to use anti-dandruff products and remedies for at least one month before evaluating the results.
Step 3. Tell your doctor if you have a compromised immune system
If you have a condition that has weakened your immune system, such as an autoimmune disease, HIV / AIDS, cancer or diabetes, treat dandruff with your doctor's help. He will be able to identify if it is caused by a scalp infection and if so he will prescribe appropriate treatment for you.
- Some medications, such as steroids and chemotherapy, can weaken the immune system. Talk to your doctor if dandruff started after taking any of these medicines.
- If the skin infection is not treated properly and the immune system is weakened, serious complications can arise, so do not hesitate to go to the doctor.
